Word

beneficiary

noun C1

UK /ˌbɛn.ɪˈfɪʃ.əɹ.i/

US /ˌbɛn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ɚ.i/

Meanings

noun

a person or organization that receives money, property, or other benefits from a will, trust, or insurance policy

beneficiary: a person or organization that receives money, property, or other benefits from a will, trust, or insurance poli…

noun

a person or group that receives help or advantages from a program, project, or decision

Definition

A beneficiary is a person or organization that receives money, property, or another benefit from something.

A beneficiary is someone who gains from an arrangement, decision, or system. Most often, it refers to the person who receives money or property from a will, a trust, or an insurance policy. It can also mean anyone who receives help or advantages from a program, donation, or policy.

Examples

After the settlement was finalized, she was named the sole beneficiary of the estate.
The charity verified that each beneficiary met the program’s eligibility criteria before distributing support.
As a beneficiary of the scholarship fund, I had to submit progress reports every semester.
They discovered that the beneficiary listed on the policy had been updated only a week earlier.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse beneficiary (receiver of a benefit) with benefactor (giver of a benefit).